Conference Themes

These themes reflect our goal of creating an arena for young and senior scholars across disciplines, like history, political science, gender studies, media studies, literature and the arts, anthropology, economy, law and sociology, to mention some.

1) Representation, Democracy and Freedom

This thematic strand addresses a variety of issues concerning gender and political representation, democracy and freedom, both historically and in regard to contemporary struggles. Historically feminism has been a struggle both for inclusion and for liberation, calling into question the relationship between representation and freedom. This strand opens for an exploration of the struggle for political power as well as of the effects of the increase of women in politics, especially as they concern theories and practices of freedom and democracy.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Global/local institutions and equality
• The history of the struggle for the vote
• Gendered notions of freedom and democracy
• Representation and gender balance
• Migration and political inclusion
• Economic challenges

2) Sexual Citizenship

Sexual citizenship signals interest in sexuality, intimacy, erotics and bodypolitics, calling into question the public/private as well as the culture/nature divide. Issues include state regulation of sexuality and reproduction, sexual rights and entitlements, group recognition and questions of intersectionality, both relating to and exceeding the binary gender frame. We welcome panels and papers that explore various aspects of such issues as well as the rise of the concept of sexual citizenship itself.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• The production and regulation of bodies
• The politics of intimacy and everyday life
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex issues and rights
• Sexual and gender based violence
• Family Law, Marriage and partnership contracts
• Parenthood, reproduction and reproductive technologies
• Pornography and prostitution

3) Gender and the Public Sphere

This thematic strand concerns a variety of issues concerning gender and citizenship in the public sphere, historically and today. Gendered citizenship is constructed and represented in the cultural and political public sphere, finding diverse expressions in mainstream publics, sub-publics and counter-publics, through different forms of participation and activism, and in popular culture, art, literature and in the media. This thematic strand invites scholars to explore the cultural and social conditions of democracy and freedom in various public spheres and to investigate the ongoing debate on what should be private and what should be public. 

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Gendered representations in art, literature, media and popular culture
• Gender, politics and power in public debate
• Media use, identity and cultural citizenship
• Social media, democracy and participatory culture
• Activism, Social movements, counter-publics and sub-publics